Date, time & venue
2019-02-28;7:00 pm;Rayson Huang Theatre, The University of Hong Kong

(Supported by Structural Division)

Speakers: Prof. Nick Buenfeld, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Professor of Concrete Structures at Imperial College London

Abstract (Poster could be downloaded by clicking the top right icon)

Concrete structures are expected to remain in service for many decades, if not centuries. While compliance with clauses in structural codes and standards takes care of this for most new buildings and bridges constructed from well-proven materials, there are many scenarios where it is necessary to explicitly predict durability or at least demonstrate that a structure will be adequately durable. This applies to structures utilizing new, more sustainable, cements, structures exposed to unusual environments or with very long design lives, to most concrete-lined tunnels, to existing structures (for example in relation to life extension, changing ownership or premature deterioration) and to structures where out of specification concrete would otherwise be rejected.

Service life prediction is a multifaceted subject with many challenges that must be understood and tackled to make progress. In particular, challenges arise from the physical and chemical complexity of concrete, the range of possible exposure environments and deterioration processes, and the long design lives required.

The most promising, and also some misconceived, approaches to life prediction are presented with examples drawn from some of the major international infrastructure projects that Nick has been involved in, together with research findings from Nick’s group. Approaches include the use of artificial intelligence to learn from condition surveys of existing structures, accelerated laboratory testing, short-term natural exposure followed by microstructural characterization and extrapolation, and various forms of computer-based modelling.

Registration
The event is free of charge. Please register through the following link:
https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=61681

Report